Entry Journal for an Internship Program at the Chrome Group Limited - Essay Example

ENTRY JOURNAL FOR AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AT THE CHROME GROUP LIMITED Location Pre Application Process Gettingan intern position in any organization has a number of challenges due to the requirements needed by such firms. Chrome group of companies is one of the most accomplished companies in West Africa and by extension the world and my desire was to find a job in the same entity (Chrome Group 2015). The application process was the most tedious and demanding. To begin with, the company demanded that a cover letter had to be produced not to mention well-choreographed curriculum vitae stating the professional background and level of experience. Under normal circumstances, developing a CV may be daunting in the sense that is always limited information that can be incorporated into the document. Case in point is that students have limited experience and the only details that might make sense are the educational background. However, some students have previously engaged with some professional duty and so stating their experiences is never a challenging issue. In the cover letter, I had to define the reasons for application, my suitability and why the company was chosen. Such details were compelling, yet it is important to note that as a prerequisite for being considered for a position. After preparing the information, I booked an appointment with the human resource department of the Chrome group. Booking an appointment with the company meant that it was possible that I was going to face a panel that would grill me on certain fundamental issues. Before going for the interviews, I visited an image consultant who advised on issues ranging from dressing in character. Before settling on the Chrome group in Nigeria, I had to carry out a thorough research on the viability of the company and its ability to offer the necessary skills that I was looking for as part of my career development. Post Application and Decision-making Process The basis of political science is to widen the distribution of resources on a planetary scale, yet international relations put into perspective the role of actors in the world. There are organizations in the international system that is critical in influencing events in the world. Being an international relations student, my interest is to understand how organizations such the Chrome group can use their strategic influence in shaping events not just around them but in the world. Understanding such details assists in effective policy formulation that can help sections of the society in dealing with certain challenges. Organizations in the world undertake corporate social responsibility that makes them work with local communities to improve the standards of living in such setups. Having settled on the Chrome group, I received an email from the company, noting that they had received my application. The second email notification stated that my application had been accepted though there were certain details that I had to provide. One of the requirements was to state why I had chosen the company in the West African region. Secondly, the company wanted to know the experience and influence I was bringing to the company as an international relations student. Additionally, due to the wave of Ebola crisis in West Africa, the company wanted to have a recent medical report from a reputable medical institution. After responding to the concerns of the notification, I had to wait for about three weeks in order to get a conclusive feedback. After three weeks, I did not receive feedback, and that prompted me to make a phone call to the company. The human resource and international placement unit responded to the call and apologized for taking longer before responding. I was immediately told to check my email address, and the response was a positive one. The email response noted that I was supposed to report in a weeks time, but due to the excitement I wanted to visit the organization in order to familiarize myself with the institution because I had never visited the organization. I was assigned to the department of corporate social responsibility and external relations. On my maiden visit, the company presented me an opportunity to talk to members of the department on the essence of corporate social responsibility both locally and internationally. One of the reasons I presented was the fact that corporate social responsibility brings a connection between the local communities and the organization. Such corporations help in mitigating certain challenges inherent in the respective society. I further intimated that I would help come up with some policy document that would aid the company in engaging the community in a more productive manner. My First Day as an Intern at the Chrome Group Limited in Nigeria On My first day at the organization I was taken through different aspects of operations. Consequently, I underwent a one week training in order to understand how the various departments function. The internship program was to run for a month including the training session. The first day at work was interesting though characterized by anxiety to a greater extent. On this day, I reported to work pretty early as an indication of my commitment and readiness to deliver on my mandate as an intern. My first day was not shocking because I had visited the company before, and it was pretty easy for me to conduct myself in and around the company. My department was characterized by immense diversity because there were workers from different nations. My first duty was to identify areas where the company and members of the community could work together. One of the areas of concerns the state of education and health within the community. The policy document I drafted provided an opportunity for the company to come up with initiatives that would enable them to build more healthcare institutions and educational facilities both locally and across the borders. On my second day at work, I decided to take a field trip to access some of the facilities in the community. I found the education facilities and hospitals in dare state, and I felt the company had to come in and help as appropriate. Education is the only tool that makes a difference, and it is important for organizations to provide the support to help improve the learning standards. The policy document I presented to the management of the organization was effectively taken into consideration. To begin with, the company began a process of providing schools with the necessary support that would enable them improve their infrastructure and provision of library materials. Additionally, the company began a process that would enable the hospitals to receive drugs and improve remuneration for the health workers. Though education and health were the major areas of concern, I recommended to the company to employ more locals in both formal and informal departments. Evaluation of the Chrome Group Limited Company Having worked for the organization, I realized certain issues that I thought were worth noting. I, however, must note that working in the organization was the most interesting. Most of the departments work in synergy to ensure that the objectives are met. Most of the workers enjoyed working with foreigners. The Company has a number of workers from the international community who are engaged in various departments. The organization has an orientation for international engagements in different spheres of business. The company is situated in Africa, and that meant that there had to be a number of adjustments. Before engaging with the external environment, the company has to consider diversity as a critical component in the system. I noted that most of the workers did not consider foreigners, as worthy individuals to the extent divisions among workers are a common phenomenon. The organization culture has to be changed to allow for diversity. In the modern dispensation, globalization has made it possible for individuals to seek employment in different locations and Chrome group has to be alive to this fact. The organization culture has to be redefined to allow people from different set ups to work without undue prejudice. Corporate social responsibility is a comprehensive venture, and an organization may not achieve its objectives through a single dimensional approach. I noted that the organization did not involve the community in a number of activities. Involving the local community provides an opportunity for a positive engagement in different spheres. The organization does not have structures that promote engagement. It, therefore, makes it difficult to effect certain changes that may be of critical importance. The policies I helped in formulating will have positive implications for redefining the organization’s corporate social responsibility. Work Experience and its Challenges Working at the organization provided a number of insights and widened my perspective on a number of issues. Many lessons are earned in the process, and the internship opportunity was valuable and informative. My critical analysis skills have significantly improved because I had to analyze and evaluate situations and make appropriate decisions. Additionally, I learned that it is good to work with communities in order to improve the lifestyles of individuals. Formulating a policy document is one of the most important engagements that I encountered. I have learned a number of theories in class, and they helped in formulating policies that assisted in establishing a better relationship with the local communities. While I received a lot of experience with the internship program, a number of challenges were experienced. One of the challenges was to draw an effective working relationship with some of the workers. Moreover, the policy documents I worked on took a lot of time before they could be acted on as appropriate. I was discouraged by such events and in some instances I almost gave up doing any task. The management of the company was very accommodating though they did not take me seriously just because I was a mere intern (Chrome Group 2015). The challenges I faced were numerous, but I am grateful for the wonderful experience and the lessons learned. Bibliography Chrome Group. (2015). A Nigerian Company with A Global Perspective. Available At: < http://www.thechromegroup.net/> Read More